Lauderdale Air Show brings out civilian daredevils

Air Show draws large crowd despite lack of military presence

FORT LAUDERDALE — The two-day Lauderdale Air Show kicked off Saturday, drawing thousands of people who looked on as civilian daredevils twisted, dropped, turned and rolled their aircraft.

It left the beach and nearby streets full of people with their eyes toward the sky.

The military sequester may have prevented Thunderbirds, Blue Angels and Raptors from participating, but a crowd still showed. The show carried on with civilian acts, drawing a mixed response.

"It's been such an amazing day, with wonderful shows," said Adilia Roberts, 30, an eventgoer from Miami who is a pilot. "I'll definitely be back next year."

Another spectator, Duane Capozziello, said he was disappointed. "We need to bring the military back," he said.

Air show spokesman Brad Swezey said it is one of the best air shows on the East Coast, noting the acts came from as far as Europe and Minnesota.

"We've worked hard to find good civilian acts," he said.

The Spanish Air Force, which traveled 6,000 miles to participate, elegantly parachuted to the beach.

A group of skydivers from Minnesota drove a day and a half through 12 inches of snow to skydive over Fort Lauderdale beach.

"We were so determined to make it," said Nick Halseth, 39, a skydiver with Lucas Oil Jump Team of Minnesota. "It's just good to be here."

Although Halseth has been jumpingfrom planesfor more than 20 years, the feat never gets old:His jump Saturday over the Atlantic seemed like it was his first time, he said.

"I don't usually jump over water, and here there's a thin strip of beach, the ocean and the city. There are lots of things to hit," he said. "It brought back the original fear of my first jump."

The show featured two skydiving teams and five aircraft performances.

The Black Diamond Jet Team was a crowd favorite. The four team members, all military veterans, fly in tight formations, looping and diving into the wild blue yonder.

The team'slogistics coordinator, Carl "Opi" Falcione, said he thoughtthe show went well.

"Today was great, absolutely spectacular, great turnout, great for the community to support the local air show," he said. "I hear people are down that the military isn't here, but flying is always mysterious and there are some real aviation legends here."

One legend Falcione referred to was Chuck "Malibu" Aaron, who on Saturday maneuvered a helicopter so that it looked like an upside-down spinning top. The crowd cheered at the sight.

Duane Capozziello's wife, Katia Capozziello, said the helicopter was an event highlight, but the rest of the show left her a bit bored. Her son, D.J., said the show was "good," but was dreading walking many city blocks back to where they parked their car.

The second and final day of the 2013 Lauderdale Air Show is Sunday. Its performances are scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m., officials said. The main entrance is at East Sunrise Boulevard and State Road A1A. Free viewing in a "Family Zone" extends along A1A from Vistamar Street north to Sunrise Boulevard. There also are tickets for premium-viewing areas available for $32, $139 or $229 per day.